Stage apparatus



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J. F. BYRNE. "STAGE APPARATUS.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

STAG E APPARATU S.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 510,772, dated December 12, 1893.

Application filed June 15,1893.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. BYRNE, a citi- 'zen of the United States, residing at Norwich,

in the county of .New London and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Stage Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stage apparatus or scenery for theaters, and the invention consists in mechanism for producing to the audience the effect of an air ship or flying machine in mid air as set forth in the following specification and claims and illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the mechanism. Fig. 2 is a section along line JcFig. 1.

In the drawings the letterA indicates a frame in imitation of a flying machine or air ship. Said frame is shown open or as capable of being opened toward the audience to expose the interior with the performers therein. An upper deck or iioor B may be provided and the effect is heightened by one or more rotary fans or paddle wheels C which can be rotated by any suitable appliance as by clock spring or mechanism to give a rotary or propeller like movement to the paddles or blades.

The frame is shown provided with two pivots or pivotal supports D E. When the frame is supported on the pivot or pivotal support D said frame can oscillate or rotate in one direction and when supported on support E the frame can oscillate or rotate in a different direction. The pivot or shaft D is supported in journals or boxes F carried by arms G jointed or connected at H to a platform or supportI. The arms G with their boxes F can be moved or swung out of engagement with pivot D. The platform or supportl is mounted on casters or wheels L so thatit can travel about on the stage or be readily moved to any desired point on the stage. The platform I carries a rotary base or ring M on a suitable guide or way on said platform, and the rotation of base M on platform I can be eased by any suitable appliance such as casters or ball bearings. The base M supports arms N having boxes C for the engagement of pivot or shaft E. The arms N with their boxes O can be moved out of engagement with pivot E Serial No. 477,728. (No model.)

said arms being jointed at Q to base M. It is noticed that when the pivot D is free the frame can turn or rock on pivot E and at the same time a further rotation or movementcan be imparted to the frame by the movement of base M on platform I.

The eect of the apparatus flying or floating in mid air can be produced by encircling iiats or scenes R arranged to travel about the frame A. Each iat or scene is hung or pivoted on a shaft S of a roller T adapted to travel along a guide or way surrounding the frame A. The guide or way is readily formed by taking a frame like structure U somewhat similar to a picture frame to which is connected by strips V a series of strips W of Wood or like material. By securing to strips V metallic lips X such as sheet metal provided withra ange Y and also securing to said strips W tongues Z of sheet metal leaving between flange Y and tongue Z a slot for the projection of the roller shaft S, a Way is formed along which the rollers T can travel carrying with them the scenes R. The scenes R are formed of suitable material such as thin planking or veneering and by jointing the scenes R together, as by pivots a said scenes will be united into a chain like structure which can be kept traveling or moving about the frame along the way or track Y Z. The scenes R are appropriately painted so as to represent clouds,or aerial objects.

In case the frame A is not to be carried by either support D or E said framecan be suspended by straps or ropes b running to any cross beam or other support. The frame A hanging from the ropes or chains b can be given a swinging motion.

Provision is thus made for a variety of motions of the frame A, such as swinging on the ropes h, turning on pivot D or E, being rotated with ring or base M or traveling with platform I. The hangers or ropes b are of course made detachable so that they can be thrown off when the frame is otherwise supported.

The ends d of theframe A are detachably secured by any suitable pins or fastenings e and by throwing off said ends d the effect can be produced of the frame Abeing wrecked or going to pieces. When supported on pivot ICO E the removing of ends d will also shorten the frame so as to make it easier to rock or revolve the frame about pivot E.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a stage apparatus,an imitation flying machine A, provided with two pivotal supports or points, substantially as described.

2. In a stage apparatus, an imitation flying machine A, provided with a pivotal support or point and a rotary supporting base, substantially as described.

3. In a stage apparatus, an imitation flying machine A mounted on a rotary base, combined With a traveling platform or support for the rotary base, substantially as described.

4. In a stage apparatus, an imitation flying machine A, provided with a pivotal support or point and mounted on a traveling platform or support, substantially as described.

5. In a stage apparatus, an imitation flying machine A, provided with two pivotal supports or points, one of said pivotal supports being mounted on a traveling platform or support and the other pivotal support being mounted on a rotary base carried by the traveling support, substantially as described.

6. In a stage apparatus, animitation flying machine, consisting ofa frame, and encircling y flats or scenes arranged to travel or move 3o about the frame, substantially as described.

'7. In a stage apparatus, an imitation flying machine, consisting of a frame, a guide or Way surrounding the frame, and ilats or scenes adapted to travel along said Way, substan tially 35 as described.

8. In a stage apparatus, an imitation flying machine, consisting of aframe, a guide or way surrounding the frame, and flats or scenes adapted to travel along said Way and linked 4o or jointed to one another, substantially as described.

9. In a stage apparatus, an imitation flying machine provided with a pivotal point or su pport and a hanging or swinging support, substantially as described.

l0. Ina stage apparatus, a pivotally supported imitation flying machine provided with detachable end portions, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN F. BYRNE.

lVitnesses:

WM. C. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

